Canada signals interest in investment protection deal with Taiwan

Canada’s policy towards Taiwan unchanged says Chrystia Freeland

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Canadian government has for the first time publicly declared its interest in negotiating an investment protection agreement with Taiwan, reported CNA.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said that the Canadian government is giving consideration to a foreign investment protection agreement (FIPA), in response to a question by lawmaker Mark Warawa during a parliamentary meeting on Dec. 7.

Taiwanese officials previously said that inking a FIPA deal with Canada is their top priority, but the Canadian government had not publicly stated its position, according to CNA.

Freeland’s comments were made in response to a series of questions about the state of Canada-Taiwan relations in the context of growing business interests of the Chinese government in Canada.

“Canada supports Taiwan’s democracy and continues to have strong and growing trade and people-to-people ties with Taiwan within the framework of Canada’s one China policy,” responded Freeland.

“With regards to a possible foreign investment protection agreement or arrangement, FIPA, with Taiwan, Canada is giving consideration to the matter.”

Freeland also said that Canada opposes any actions to undermine or alter the status quo in Taiwan-China relations, and voiced the government’s disapproval of efforts by the Chinese government to influence international companies and their policy towards Taiwan.

The Canadian government’s position to Taiwan has not changed in recent times, and this consistency of position has been relayed towards the Taiwanese government, added Freeland.